Federal Sex Offender Civil Commitment Process Under Fire, August 2012:

According to Prison Legal News , the standard of “clear and convincing evidence” is lower than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard required in criminal prosecutions, and when certifying prisoners for civil commitment the DOJ can consider conduct that did not result in an arrest, prosecution or conviction. In fact, offenders can be certified for civil commitment even if they have no prior criminal record of sex offenses. To read this front page page report in PDF format, click here.